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Bhubaneswar is the best place to kickstart a holiday in Odisha. Over the years, Odisha’s largest city has gained a reputation for information technology (IT). The city is also dubbed Ekamra Kshetra, or the Temple City, and for visitors, the real reason to spend time here is the wealth of ancient monuments and intricate sandstone temples. Of the thousand or so temples that once existed, only approximately fifty remain. Still, they are significant enough that UNESCO has placed them on their tentative list of World Heritage Sites. Although the interiors of some of the temples are off-limits to non-Hindus, spending the day admiring and discovering the history behind some of these beautiful places of worship is an enthralling experience.
The exceptional Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts is also one of the city’s must-see sights, and it is the perfect place to visit before setting off to discover some of Odisha’s Adivasi (tribal) villages for yourself. There are over sixty different indigenous groups in Odisha, and it is possible to visit several tribal villages either as a comfortable day trip out of Bhubaneswar or as part of a journey further afield.
Raghurajpur is one such settlement. Here, the people of the village specialise in Pattachitra, an intricate style of painting on cloth. Predominantly depicting mythological narratives and folktales, it is an astonishing skill that is absorbing to witness firsthand, and there are equally as talented tribal artisans in other parts of the state as well, including those that specialise in art forms such as stone carving, metalwork and producing trinkets and other decorative jewellery. Always welcoming, the local villagers are often dressed in their traditional tribal clothing, and for many, exploring a handful of these picturesque settlements is the highlight of their time in the state.Wildlife is also on the agenda in Odisha. Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. During the winter months (November to mid-January), it becomes home to a million-plus migratory birds, making it the greatest wintering ground for relocating aves on the entire Indian subcontinent. Over 150 species of birds call the lagoon home during this period, such as herons, cranes and pink flamingos. They come from as far afield as the Caspian Sea, Siberia and the Kyrgyz steppes of Central Asia. It’s quite a spectacle, and slowly meandering along the tranquil waters of the lagoon in the early morning or late afternoon, which are the best times to spot wildlife, is a peaceful experience and a paradise for ornithologists and the casual observer alike.
There are some atmospheric accommodation options in Odisha as well. The simple yet delightful Dhenkanal Palace, a couple of hours’ drive northwest of Bhubaneswar, is a nostalgic, heritage-style property lovingly restored by the original Raja of Dhenkanal’s great-grandchildren. Dhenkanal Palace is the ideal base for exploring some of Odisha’s tribal villages, including Nuapatna, which specialises in weaving, and the metal-casting settlement of Dokra.What’s more, because of its excellent flight connections, a holiday to Odisha is easily combined with other states in India. For example, a short hop between Bhubaneswar and Kolkata opens up Western Bengal, another of the country’s undeservedly lesser-visited regions. And then there’s Kolkata itself, which, in our opinion, is probably India’s most captivating metropolis and always worthy of a day or two of exploration.
The more you travel in India, the harder it becomes to not compare one state with another. The ecosystem of Chilika Lake will remind regular visitors to the country of parts of Kerala, for example. At the same time, the glorious temples in and around Bhubaneswar are reminiscent of some of those found in Uttar Pradesh. But something about Odisha makes it stand out from the crowd. It has a unique flavour of its own, and for the time being, it is one of the best-kept secrets on the Indian subcontinent. Our advice would be to go now and see this wonderful corner of India before the word gets out!
We can put together a tailor-made holiday to Odisha (Orissa), but our 12-day / 11-night Classic Odisha private tour includes all of Odisha’s highlights and is a good starting point. This private tour features visits to Bhubaneshwar, Puri, Chilika Lake and Dhenkanal and includes chauffeur-driven transportation, English-speaking guides and accommodation in the best hotels in Odisha.
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May 13, 2026
